Joseph D. Salvia, ''Joe Babe'' of Deland, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021. He was the young age of 68. Joseph was born March 1, 1953, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Joseph and Mary (DeVito) Salvia.

Joe lived in Kearny, New Jersey during his childhood.  Someone who was always proactive and looking to make his own money, he began a paper route at the ripe age of 12.  With his desire to help others, he shared the wealth with his best friend and soon after they took over the neighborhood.

At the age of 15, he became the man of the house and continued his lifelong journey as an entrepreneur after his part time job at the neighborhood Shop Rite Food Store in Kearny.  At the age of 17, he became a delivery boy for a liquor store.  In 1971, Joe graduated from Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, NJ.  He then attended Bloomfield College became a member of the Business Fraternity, A K Psi and graduated, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1975; Joe was first in his immediate family to graduate college.  Most importantly this is where he met the love of his life.  Joe married his beautiful bride, Isabel Labrada, from Newark, NJ on April 16,1977.  After college graduation, his first job was as an insurance agent for Prudential.   Three years later, he began his first family business as he owned and managed Avenue Deli & Sub Shoppe in Kearny. After moving to Florida, he managed Quincy's restaurants and then later owned a vending business which he built from the ground up.  Always looking for a new adventure, Joe decided to start a new business and from 2004 until two and half years ago, October 2018, he retired from Krystal Klear Pool Cleaning Service, which he also started from scratch and built success upon the foundation of professionalism, and the belief of the importance of relationships. Even after he retired, he continued to display a herculean work ethic, loyalty to his family and dedication to those he cared about.

For those who knew him in his younger days, you knew he loved fast cars, rock & roll.  If he wasn't mooning friends on his college campus, he may have been cruisin' down Kearny Ave and whistling at the ladies in his hot rod 1967 Oldsmobile 442.  For those who knew him later in life… well, some things just don't change. 😊 Joe was a jack-of-all-trades, a Mr. Fix-It, a car, plant and train enthusiast, a corvette lover, a fan of baseball and was briefly famous for his appearance on Hot Bench. You could often find him at Lowe's, working in his yard and wearing inappropriate shirts to children's events, "Bada Bing!"

Joe spent as much time as he possibly could with his grandchildren, attending family events and videotaping the grandchildren's games while cheering from the stands; they were his pride and joy. He always made time to watch a show, play catch in the yard, play hide and seek, read books, ride bikes and swim with the kids in the pool.  He spent time with his adult children teaching business, giving advice, answering the many questions about how to care for your home and speaking to them about the events in their lives.  He was a good listener and was always present.

Joe is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 44 years, Isabel Salvia; his sister, Nancy Kowalewski (Ed), brother-in-law, Peter Labrada, his aunt, Dorothy Hilcher, who became a mother figure after his mom passed, his daughter Melissa Lundell (Robert Urban), his three sons, Christian Salvia, Anthony Salvia (Jodi), Gregory Salvia (Atel); his six grandchildren, Gianna and Luke Lundell, Noah and Nathan Salvia, Bryson and Briella Salvia; his six step grandchildren, Alayna Garzon, Taylor Holcombe, Garrett Holcombe, Chase Lundell, Karen Lundell Jackson and Noah Urban; as well as nieces, nephews, many, many cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Salvia, mother, Mary DeVito Salvia and his son-in-law, Charlie Lundell, (who we are sure is currently having a debate with him in heaven over whether the Yankees or Boston Red Sox are the better team.) Many would agree that Joe's smile could light up a room and now he is a shining star looking down on us from the heavens above.

A Celebration of Joseph's life will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, July 31 ^st at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 1301 Maximilian St., Deltona, FL 32725.  Father Chris will be the celebrant.  There will be an open house at Melissa and Robert's home in DeLand until 4:30 pm. If you are unable to attend the mass, it will be livestreamed on ourladyofthelakes.org